Oct 29 • Sports • 449 Views • Comments Off on Quarterback Sleepers: The Search For The Next Robert Griffin III

The Washington Redskins traded up to pick quarterback Robert Griffin III second overall in the 2012 draft, but going into the fantasy season, Griffin was viewed more as a potential sleeper than an immediate star a fantasy starter as a rookie. But as the season’s halfway point approached, Griffin had rapidly risen from sleeper to star. Through seven weeks, Griffin led all quarterbacks in pass completion percentage with 70.4% and yards per pass attempt with 8.5. While Griffin’s fantasy passing stats were less gaudy, he did have only three interceptions. Best of all, he had rushed for six touchdowns, second-best among all players.Griffin beat out Luck in fantasy drafts
Griffin was drafted one spot behind top overall pick Andrew Luck, who was considered a can’t miss prospect. But the Indianapolis Colts, coming off a 2-14 season, kept expectations modest for Luck’s rookie season. Then Luck threw for over 300 yards in three of his first four games. In his sixth game, Luck ran for two scores. After six games, Luck had led the Colts to three wins, exceeding their win total for all of 2011.

Fantasy football fans should be aware that the arrival of Luck has also given new life to 34-year-old receiver Reggie Wayne. After week 7, Wayne led the NFL in receiving yards per game with 111.0, was second in receiving yards with 666 and fourth in receptions with 47.

Freeman is up and coming
Tampa Bay Buccaneer quarterback Josh Freeman looked like a rising star in 2010, when he threw for 3,451 yards with 25 touchdowns and just six interceptions in his second season. But while he threw for 3,592 yards in 2011, Freeman had just 16 touchdown passes and his interception total soared to 22.

In 2012, however, Freeman looks to be regaining his form. Through six games, Freeman had 1,538 yards, a per/game average of 256.3, higher than any of his yearly averages. Freeman’s 14.8 yards per catch was tops in the NFL. Freeman had 11 touchdown passes and five interceptions. In his sixth game of 2012, Freeman threw for 420 yards, a career high, and had three touchdown passes for the second straight week in a loss to New Orleans.

A big reason for Freeman’s 2012 resurgence is the offseason acquisition of receiver Vincent Jackson. After week 7, Jackson was second in the league in yards per catch with 21.7, fourth in receiving yards per game with 97.7 and sixth in receiving yards with 586. Jackson was tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns with five.